Uganda, Kenya support Tharoor

NEW DELHI: Two key African countries Uganda and Kenya have expressed their support to India's claim for permanent membership of UN Security Council and Shashi Tharoor's candidature for the post of UN Secretary General.

The support was conveyed to Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi during his visit to these countries which concluded on Sunday.

Ravi, who met Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and Kenyan Foreign Minister Raphael Tuju besides others, impressed upon them that their countries should support India's bid for permanent membership of Security Council and Tharoor's candidature for the post of UN Secretary General.

The leaderships of Uganda and Kenya were also asked to play a role in garnering support for India considering their influence in the 53-nation African Union, Ravi said.

During his meetings, Ravi told the leaders of the African countries that it was likely that the new permanent members of the Security Council would not get the veto power.

In Uganda, the two sides decided to increase cooperation in agriculture technology, agro-processing, hydro-electricity, oil exploration and training in defence sector.

In Kenya, the two countries agreed to improve cooperation in education sector.